Compressing coil springs??

[Tycoon4u]

I finally started sandblasting the front end I got from Eric(aka chevye). When I went to use my new spring compressors I couldn't get them to fit in the space beside the springs to use them. I got the box back out and it says they are for mcphersons. Is there another way to disassemble the front member?
I forgot to take the pics when I was blasting so I staged this shot for the pic.
I couldn't get to much done today though because my step son found a '78 4x4 that only had 49,000 original miles on it, so I had to go buy it.
tomorro maybe I can get more done on the '68. I'd like to get the bed off and start blasting the frame.

[Tycoon4u]

ttt

[Longhorn Man]

if it was mounted on the truck, I'd say just pop the lower ball joint with a jack uinder the lower a arm, but I don't know if you could do that with as little as that assembly weighs.
You could always unbolt the lower a arm from the crossmember leaving the ball joint bolted up, that'll open it enough to remove the spring. You could wrap the coil with a chain if it makes you feel better.
In NORMAL conditions, there is no reason to use a coil spring compressor on most of your older rear wheel drive vehicles...these trucks included.

[kwmech]

Would have been much easier with the assy in the truck, then you can just use a floor jack--

[BubbaGreen]

I purchased the one from EASTWOOD. The internal version. You need to cut-off approx 2~2-1/2 inches off the leadscrew assembly. But let me explain this, I used this tool in install brand new standard height C-10 springs, not the heavy duty ones. This took two people, one to hold the spring and the other to turn the wrench. This was s-c-a-r-y at best....These springs required compressing apprx 2-1/2 inches. I disassembled the original (old) springs when the crossmember was still on the frame. After doing just the two front springs, I am pretty much ready to retire the spring compressing tool, it has square cut threads that now look a bit rounded over.

[Joe67]

Barefoot blasting

I used a free rental coil spring compressor from the local auto parts store to remove my stock front coil springs.
When I installed the drop springs however, a standard compressor did not fit right. I ended up using one intended for Ford Mustangs and it worked great.

There are two schools of thought on using compressors. I'm one who would much rather do it right and help avoid any un-necessary accidents

[Tycoon4u]

I appreciate the info guys, I measured about 2 1/2 inches too much bolt. I think I'll try shorter ones as suggested. thanks,
Dale

picked up another project today. Too much fun(work) and so little time.

[Longhorn Man]

For the record, on an assembled truck, if you place a floor jack under the lower a arm, and pop the lower ball joint loose and lower the jack, the spring will have NO tension on it by the time there is room for it to pop out. The spring will land maybe 3 inches from the truck.

[roger0080]

Instead of messing with the lower ball joint you can unbolt the lower arm from the crossmember.

You might have some fun compressing the thing together with the whole cross member off the truck.

[cdowns]

an amusing picture maybe you could sell it to OSHA !!! it shows just about everything wrong as far as safety and sandblasting goes!! barefeet in a shop,shorts, shortsleeve shirt no gloves, no respirator,inside a building so you can breath the harmfull dust for a long time and it gets sucked into your compressor and deposited on everything else.. blast like that for very long the doctors will love you

i know it's just a posed picture but just want youngr less experienced members to know that while blasting is good there are very real health issues with the process and #1 in my book is breathing protection followed very closely by skin protection